Active Bodies, Active Minds: Movement in Adult Learning

Description

Many adult learners arrive in class tired, stressed, or mentally overloaded.

Long periods of sitting, low energy levels, and reduced concentration can affect participation, motivation, and overall well-being.

Because when the body is stiff and the mind is overwhelmed, learning slows down.  

In this sense, movement is a natural and powerful tool that supports both physical and mental health, as it helps reduce stress, regulate emotions, and improve concentration and engagement.

This course intends to explore how simple movement-based activities can support adult learning, wellbeing and group interaction in practical and accessible ways.

Designed for educators from all sectors of adult education, it will introduce participants to easy-to-use strategies that help learners feel more focused, energized, and connected during learning activities.

Throughout the week, participants will be guided in experiencing a variety of gentle and adaptable movement practices that can be integrated into their everyday teaching contexts, including.

These activities are designed to be practical and easy to follow and will include: chair and desk yoga; stretching and breathing exercises; balance and coordination activities; mindful movement practices inspired by Tai Chi and Qi Gong; walking-based learning activities; short movement breaks to improve focus and engagement.

Participants will explore how to safely modify activities for different ages, physical conditions, and mobility levels, making movement-based learning suitable for diverse adult learning groups.

Combining practical workshops, reflection activities and collaborative lesson design, participants will learn how to adapt activities to different groups, including older adults and learners with limited mobility, ensuring inclusion, safety, and comfort, always reflecting on the relationship between movement, wellbeing, attention and active participation in adult education.

By the end of the course, participants will have developed a practical toolbox of movement and wellbeing activities ideal to boost energy and engagement that can be immediately applied in their own educational settings.

As a result, they will feel more confident using movement as a tool to help their learners feel better, learn better, connect with others, and enjoy the learning process more.

Concept by Joanna Woźniczka-Sulka

Learning outcomes

The course will help participants to:

• Understand the connection between movement, wellbeing and adult learning;
• Bring simple movement, mindfulness, and wellbeing activities into everyday adult learning sessions;
• Use easy, accessible exercises to help learners feel more focused, energetic, and engaged;
• Work with a range of safe and inclusive movement practices, such as chair exercises, gentle yoga, and walking activities;
• Adapt activities so they work well for different abilities and needs, including older adults and people with limited mobility;
• Encourage connection, interaction, and a positive group atmosphere through movement;
• Support learners’ attention, motivation, and active participation in a natural way;
• Better understand how movement supports both wellbeing and learning;
• Feel confident using movement as a simple, practical tool in adult education.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to the course

• Introduction to the course and the Academy;
• Introduction to the host city and the week’s cultural activities;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Presentations of the participants’ schools and institutions.

Sport-based learning in adult education

• Introduction to movement-based learning in adult education;
• Discussion: challenges of adult learners (energy, stress, focus, ageing population);
• Exploring the relationship between movement, attention and participation.

Day 2 – Yoga, stretching and breathing techniques

• Introduction to accessible yoga practices for adult learners;
• Yoga practice: anywhere, anytime, with anybody;
• Chair yoga: gentle yoga exercises adapted for seated learners, suitable for classrooms and group settings;
• Desk yoga: simple stretches and movements that can be done at a desk, even during short breaks;
• Gentle stretching and body awareness;
• Breathing techniques for relaxation and focus;
• Reflection on how to use yoga in adult learning settings.

Day 3 – Balance, coordination and mindful movement

• Balance and coordination activities for stability and concentration;
• Mindful movement for concentration and relaxation;
• Gentle exercises to improve body awareness;
• Group exercises for focus, interaction and engagement;
• Workshop: designing short mindful movement routines for learning contexts.

Day 4 – Walking and stretching day

• Walking exercises as a tool for learning and wellbeing;
• Stretching routines for posture, mobility and energy for everyday use;
• Outdoor and indoor movement-based activities;
• Designing walking-based learning experiences for adult learners;
• Reflection and discussion: adapting activities for inclusion and accessibility.

Day 5 – From theory to practice – bringing sport into teaching

• Designing movement-based activities and lesson plans;
• Adapting wellbeing practices to different adult learning contexts;
• Collaborative workshop and peer teaching activities;
• Peer feedback and sharing practical ideas;
• Creating a personal movement and wellbeing toolbox for future practice;
• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussions;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance.

Day 6 – Structured cultural activities

• Structured cultural activity(ies) according to the hosting location;
• Learning journal: individual written reflection on the course experience;
• Course reflection: self-reflection and review of course materials and resources.

Download or share

Get weekly recaps on confirmed sessions!